Calendar
TODAY
International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission, 8 a.m., Commissioners’ Boardroom, Koochiching County Courthouse.
Recycling curbside collection, 8 a.m., north of 11th Street and west of Highway 53 (includes Terrace Lane).
Retired Boise Cascade Papermakers Local 159, 9 a.m., Lenard’s.
Walk-ercise group, 10-11 a.m., Backus Community Center gymnasium.
Littlefork Ambulance Thrift Shop open, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Northland Art Society open, various arts, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Backus, Room 114.
Wednesday Study Group, 10:15 a.m., Faith United Church of Christ.
Girl Guards, Sunbeams and Adventure Corps, 4:30-6 p.m., The Salvation Army.
Free At Last, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Forestland Annex, lower level conference room.
Northland Art Society open, various arts, 5:30-8 p.m., Backus, Room 114.
Narcotics Anonymous, 6 p.m., Alano Club.
Men’s Non-Violence Group, 6-8 p.m., Friends Against Abuse office.
Reflection Service, 6:30 p.m., Faith United Church of Christ.
Members and guests Elks Lodge 1599 Wednesday Meal, 6:30 p.m., Beef Tips and Gravy.
Little Lambs (3 years to kindergarten) and King’s Kids (1st-5th grades), Youth Group (6th grade-up), 6:30-7:30 p.m., Full Gospel Fellowship Church.
Women of the Moose, 7 p.m., Moose Lodge.
Koochiching Masonic Lodge No. 270, A.F. & A.M., 7 p.m., 416 Third St.
Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., Alano Club.
THURSDAY
Bone Builders, 10-11:30 a.m., Woodland Apartments.
Littlefork Ambulance Thrift Shop open, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Falls Hunger Coalition Food Shelf open, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 1000 Fifth St.
Northland Art Society open, various arts, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Backus, Room 114.
Storytime, 10:30 a.m., International Falls Public Library.
Weight Watchers, 4:45-5:15 p.m. weigh-in; 5:15 meeting, Zion Lutheran Church.
Community Café, 5:30-6 p.m., chicken teriyaki, vegetables, fruit, dinner roll, Backus Community Center.
Tacos Supper, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Moose Lodge.
Beginner’s Tae Kwon Do, 5:45 p.m., Falls Elementary School gymnasium or cafeteria.
The Lamplighters, women’s support group for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, 6-8 p.m., Friends Against Abuse office.
St. Thomas Bingo — Bonanza, 6:45 p.m.; Bingo, 7, Aquinas Hall.
Line Dancing, 7 p.m., Moose Lodge.
Pool, 7 p.m., Border Bar.
Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., Alano Club.
FRIDAY
Walk-ercise group, 10-11 a.m., Backus Community Center gymnasium.
Falls Hunger Coalition Food Shelf open, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 1000 Fifth St.
Serenity Sisters, Women’s A.A., noon, Backus, Rational Alternatives, Room 101.
Members and guests Elks Lodge 1599 Friday Light Meal, 5:30 p.m., Ham and Swiss on Marble Rye.
Narcotics Anonymous, 6 p.m., Alano Club.
For Those in Need, Addiction Recovery, 7 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1340 Keenan Drive.
Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., Alano Club, 410 Fifth Ave.
SATURDAY
Rainy River Book Club, noon, Lenard’s.
Moose Lodge events – Open, noon; Bingo, 1 p.m.; Guy’s Stuffed Pork Chops Supper, 6 (reservations, 283-3615).
Bronco Girls Parents Night, presentation/seniors celebration, 2 p.m., Bronco Arena.
Open Gym, 3-5 p.m., Backus Community Center.
Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., Alano Club.
Dance in The Dungeon, 7-10 p.m., Backus Community Center.
With the start of the New Year, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota looks ahead to try and predict which nasty scam will pack the most punch in the coming months.
Though perennial “least-favorites” such as sweepstakes and utility schemes are sure to be well-represented, BBB feels phony IRS calls will likely continue to set the pace when it comes to defrauding the public.
Phony IRS calls have become common nationwide and can target anyone, but often seem to focus on certain groups, such as foreign-born citizens. Fraudsters claim an affiliation with the IRS and also use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers.
People contacted by these scammers say they are abusive and threaten arrest or even deportation if alleged tax debts are not paid immediately - usually via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards. Others have received voicemail messages stating they must contact the IRS immediately. Some messages have claimed to be from the U.S. Marshals, threatening arrest if alleged tax debts are not paid in full.
BBB advises the public that the IRS does not make such calls and initiates contact with taxpayers through the mail. Scammers also utilize technology to alter the information that appears on caller ID, so it may appear as though a call is originating from the IRS, when in fact the call is fraudulent.
The IRS website states they will never:
- Call to demand immediate payment, nor will they call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
- Threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
- Demand payment without giving people the opportunity to question or appeal the debt in question.
- Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
The IRS also states they don’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. This includes requests for PIN numbers, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.
If you receive one of these fraudulent IRS phone calls, BBB recommends you:
Hang up – Don’t provide any information over the phone. Call the IRS directly using the phone number found on their website or in the phone book.
Protect your personal information – Never give out any personal or financial information over the phone. This includes your Social Security number.
Contact the FCC – Let the Federal Communications Commission know about ID spoofing by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC or file a complaint at www.fcc.gov/complaints
Contact the FTC – File a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/complaint.
Contact BBB at bbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll-free at 1-800-646-6222.
Q: My registration tabs for my license plates are due. Is there some leeway when I have to purchase those?
A: Minnesota State Statute 168.09 says: “A vehicle registered under the monthly series system of registration shall display the plates and insignia issued within 10 days of the first day of the month which commences the registration period.”
Let me clarify: The registration tabs must be purchased before the end of the month, but you have 10 days to display them. For example, if the registration tabs are November 2015, the tabs must be purchased by Nov. 30, 2015. You then have 10 days (Dec. 10, 2015) to get them on the license plates.
If you purchased your registration on-line and are waiting for the tabs to arrive in the mail, be sure to print your receipt and have that with you to show as proof if requested.
I would also like to add that vehicles must display the month of expiration in the lower left corner of each license plate and the year of expiration in the lower right corner of each license plate.
A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Neil Dickenson, Minnesota State Patrol, 1131 Mesaba Ave., Duluth, MN 55811. (You can follow me on Twitter @MSPPIO_NE or reach me at neil.dickenson@state.mn.us).
Borderland Briefs
DANCE IN THE DUNGEON
Dance in The Dungeon at Backus Community Center is planned for 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Students age 12 years and up are welcome. Admission is $7 each or $10 for two. Chaperoned and sanctioned by the City of International Falls. For more information, go to mrfaithslasers.com.
BOOK CLUB
Rainy River Book Club will meet at noon Saturday at Lenard’s. Book for discussion is “The Pearl That’s Broke Its Shell” by Nadia Hashimi. All book lovers are welcome.
REFLECTION SERVICE
A Reflection Service to listen, reflect and pray, is planned for 6:30 p.m. tonight at Faith United Church of Christ, 1001 Fifth St. Everyone is welcome.
Lottery
Sunday’s Daily 3
4, 3, 6
Sunday’s Northstar Cash
12, 17, 19, 25, 26
Friday’s Gopher 5
4, 15, 20, 32, 47
Saturday’s Hot Lotto
10, 18, 24, 26, 45
Hot Ball
13
Friday’s Mega Millions
14, 15, 32, 68, 72
Mega Ball
8
Saturday’s Powerball
16, 19, 20, 29, 33
Powerball
10
St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department
Snowmobile fatality: Richard Schaefer, 51, Cannon Falls, was pronounced dead at the scene Friday evening when his northbound snowmobile 10 miles northeast of Orr left the Arrowhead Trail in a wooded area. Schaefer was located a short time later by members of his party. The accident remains under investigation. Also assisting were Orr Fire and Ambulance, St. Louis County Volunteer Rescue Squad, Minnesota State Patrol and Lifelink III air medical.
International Falls Fire Department
False alarm: Firefighters responded Jan. 21 to a call at International Bildrite, Highway 11 east, about a suspected fire on the roof. Department officials reported firefighters checked the scene, but found no fire and returned to the station.
